Attire Accessories - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 79)

62 MIDHAVEN, MIDHAVEN.CO.UK Alison Hargreaves at Midhaven said, “We are really aware that we need to do our bit for the environment. We try to source our supplies responsibly and combine shipments to reduce our carbon footprint as much as we can. We aren’t perfect and we’ve got a long way to go – if there is anything our customers can suggest for us to reduce our impact then we are all ears! Some of the ways we try to make a difference are: • Using reusable and recyclable packaging. We have recycled since 1983 when we began and were, and still are, a huge source of amusement with cat food, cereal, chocolate and toiletries boxes and still reuse padded envelopes. • We are looking at giving profits from certain products to charity but want it to be linked to a relevant cause and avoid being flashy about it. We don’t want to be seen to be jumping on an ‘aren’t we good’ bandwagon. We have always offered discounts to charities. • We offer lasting products and as such hope to promote a slow fashion lifestyle. • We have been are moving our suppliers from grip top plastic bags to cellophane over the last 12 months. Unlike plastic, cellophane biodegrades within a few months and is made from cellulose. • We don’t use materials from endangered species or those farmed unethically. • The packaging we use for sending parcels is mainly cardboard, which can be recycled. SHARED EARTH, SHAREDEARTH.CO.UK What are the challenges/positives in creating an ethical brand? There are the normal business challenges like finding reliable suppliers and getting the prices right. But these are far outweighed by the competitive advantages. Unlike many businesses that rely on cheap, standardised products from countries like China, we sell a vast range of unique products, often handmade, which you just don’t see in the large chains. Look how they’re doing on the high street at the moment and compare it with Shared Earth, which has increased sales by over 30 per cent each year for the last six years running. Our products are in demand because consumers have realised that the climate crisis can’t be ignored. Just as exploitation in factories gradually died out in the late 19 th century, so consumers today are rejecting unfairness in trade and products that harm the environment. What are you hero products? We have several highly successful ranges, possibly the best being bamboo socks from India. Bamboo needs only a third of the water required to grow cotton, which is very important in a country where droughts are common; its yield per hectare is 10 times higher, and it grows without pesticides or fertilisers. Another great range, also designed in-house, is jute bags, where sales have shot up as customers try to use less plastic. In your opinion how can the fashion industry do more? The consumer of today is increasingly aware of the long-term, so products that are beneficial for our future are often trendy, such as the Shared Earth sustainable rattan bags or jewellery made from recycled computer boards. Businesses in the fashion industry that realise this have a much greater chance of long-term success. MOWGS, MOWGS.COM Set up in 2015, Mowgs is a sustainable brand making handmade bags. These are created by a group of community artisans from Myanmar villages using traditional weaving skills that have been passed down through the generations. The bright and bold bags are made using recycled plastic with the products providing support to the villages. According to the company, “The artisan community has seen the development of houses and better living conditions, and each weaver is paid fair trade wages for their work (higher than the local market value). Mowgs also provides the means and materials for education and has supported the schooling of many children over the years.” MIRABELLE JEWELLERY, MIRABELLEJEWELLERY.CO.UK In what way does your company have an ethical/eco/fairtrade angle? We work with families in Bali and we were fair trade before it became trendy, we always source our stones and suppliers making sure that they’re ethically sound. Why is it important to you that you create a brand with a conscious? I do believe we can each start in a small way with ourselves to respect the planet and people. What are the positives in creating an ethical brand? The positive is we work with small suppliers so it’s a very close relationship and we grow together. Dream Weaver sustainable handmade cotton earrings, en.caralarga.com.mx Lily Charmed, lilycharmed.com Ethically-created earrings, Drajee, drajee.com